Service Provision

Services to support people who are currently, or are at-risk of becoming, homeless are best provided through a system of care approach that involves a variety of sectors including criminal justice, child welfare, health care, education, housing and homelessness services. Holistic and wrap-around services that are personalized to the individual or family’s needs and allow for multiple entry points along a continuum of supports and services are ideal. These services may be specialized with programs for people experiencing homelessness or they may be broad services (health services, libraries, treatment facilities etc.) that are geared to anyone who needs them. Governments, charitable organizations, faith communities and/or the non-profit sector may provide services.

There are a variety of types of services and supports that are required to help an individual end homelessness. These include:

Permanent Housing that is affordable and suitable for the individual or family. In some cases, this includes permanent supportive housing or housing with access to a variety of community supports.

Transitional Housing that allows for a period of adjustment and higher level support. This could include second-stage housing for women and families feeling violence, halfway houses for ex-offenders, culturally appropriate housing for Indigenous Peoples or newcomers to Canada, or housing to help long-term shelter users adjust to independent living.

Emergency shelters which provide a respite from living on the street or support to those who have no options for a place to live. They can include violence against women shelters, or shelters designed for people experiencing homelessness. Ideally, a community will have a variety of shelter options available to suit the unique needs of their clientele.

Too often services are directed at emergency supports rather than prevention programs that help keep people from experiencing homelessness or housing and supports to help end homelessness.

Many people experiencing homelessness face barriers in accessing services due to lack of identificantion (such as health cards) and/or a lac of funds (for service feeds). In addition, there is evidence that many people who visibly experience homelessness (instead of hidden homelessness), or who have substance use problems or mental health challenges may be denied service or dissuaded from accessing services.